"A house divide against itself cannot stand." — Abraham Lincoln

As a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in June of 1858, Republican Abraham Lincoln delivered his now-famous "A House Divided" speech detailing his view of how a nation so deeply divided over the issue of slavery could not survive. Lincoln's remarks were considered politically incorrect even by some of his supporters, and Lincoln went on to lose the election to Democrat Stephen A. Douglas.

Lincoln was elected president just two years later and led the nation during the most tumultuous time in our history. The American Civil War raged for four years, almost the entirety of Lincoln's time in office. But the issue of slavery had been resolved at last. Just six days after the war ended, Lincoln was assassinated.

According to a recent Rasmussen Poll, some 34 percent of Americans believe it is likely there will be a second civil war within five years. Nine percent believe a civil war is very likely. Some, including myself, believe it is already in progress.

America is once again a nation divided against itself. And while issues of race dominate the news headlines these days, the divide in America has little to do with that and a lot to do with the direction our country should follow. It's an ideological divide between socialists and constitutionalists that tears at the fabric of our nation.

Abraham Lincoln was correct, a nation divided against itself cannot stand. Our country as we know it is in great peril. While peripheral issues such as pancake syrup and silliness over whose lives matter more than others serve as a distraction, our traditions, culture, history and our way of life are under assault.

Unless we wake up soon, it will all be over.

“If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to. This is the last stand on Earth. And this idea that government is beholden to the people, that it has no other source of power except to sovereign people, is still the newest and most unique idea in all the long history of man’s relation to man." — Ronald Reagan

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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